By Ziyah News Court Reporter
A 36 year old man has been convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Gwanda Magistrates’ Court for the rape of a 13 year old female juvenile in Matobo.
The state’s outline of the case indicated that on the 8th of June 2025 at around 1500 hours the victim went to her friend’s homestead to do some homework and whilst on her way back home, she met the offender who started chasing her with his bicycle until he caught up with her.
The offender pushed the victim and she fell on the ground facing upwards and then he sat on top of her. She screamed for help and the offender produced an okapi knife threatening to kill her. He then removed her clothes and raped her. The offender fled the scene on his bicycle and the victim went home and narrrated her ordeal to her parents who then reported the matter to the police. Investigations by the police led to the arrest of the offender.
Meanwhile, in another case involving the rape of vulnerable persons, a Mutasa man has been slapped with a 15 year prison term for raping an eighteen year old mentally challenged female. The offender is a 62 year old builder in the area where the victim resided.
Circumstances in the case are that on the 18th of June 2025 around 1000hours the offender went to the victim’s place of residence and was seen by a witness communicating with the victim using signs. He then forcefully entered the victim’s cabin and ordered the victim to lie down whilst he removed her underwear and raped her. The witness ran off to tell the neighbours and the offender was apprehended by the community members.
These two cases highlight the increasing cases of sexual predators pouncing on the vulnerable in society who needs protection. The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe continues to urge communities to work together to provide safe spaces for the vulnetable